True Support Class even possible...

[Peptaru]

In it's state now, I don't think that bards can be considered support class.

Say for example, a support class deals 80% the damage of a true dps class. between, the tank, the healer and the DPS. A support class would be required to add another 20% DPS. Of course, the overall capabilities of a party is not restricted to damage dealing, as such, a support class could also buff the party in other ways.

That is what bards do now . . . how are they not support?

[Duelle]

That is what bards do now . . . how are they not support?

They're DPS with raid cooldowns. Very much akin to an enhancement shaman in WoW. And that's not a bad thing.

@OP: "Support" doesn't work in trinity-based MMOs.

Yoshi mentioned a 'hybrid' role in the most recent live letter (I believe is where it was), so something similar could be incoming. Though what exactly will be a hybrid of is up for debate.

But he wanted two of each role in a full party: 2 tanks, 2 healers, 2 dps, 2 hybrid.

I'm still hoping that was along the lines of "warrior players didn't research enough" rather than a legitimate peek at what's to come.

[Nysneirdre]

That is what bards do now . . . how are they not support?

The bard is a hybrid class not a true support class. Some examples of true support classes from others games are a Bard from Rift Online, Minstrel / Bard / Skald from Dark Age of Camelot, Captain from Lotro.

Also with the subject of the OP, I don't think its possible for a true support type class in this game with the basic group build being 4 people and with the current content built towards 1 tank, 1 healer, two dps. If we see more support type abilities in the future, it will be like the bard. A dps class with some minor raid type short duration buffs.